DNA tests confirm that a tiger killed in Jackson five months ago had escaped from a private preserve in the Ocean County township, state authorities said yesterday.

The state's Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife said hair samples taken from the Bengal tiger match those found at the Tigers Only Preservation Society. The preserve's owner, Joan Byron-Marasek, has denied that the tiger belonged to her.

The escape prompted increased scrutiny of Mrs. Byron-Marasek's operation, and the wildlife division decided last month that she could no longer keep her tigers, which now total 22. Mrs. Byron-Marasek has said she is appealing the ruling.

A message left yesterday for Mrs. Byron-Marasek's lawyer, Valter H. Must, was not answered.